Snowridge's Secret (Book 1)

42 - Vengeance | Part 1

Alexi - POV

Numb.

Cold.

Hollow.

Enraged.

Are all the feelings that swirled through my head. Slowly driving my mind to a place, I worry I'll never escape. A place that is barren and filled with death. A place void of love and without mercy. A world without my mate. A nightmare and a reality that are slowing merging together.

But that's not what he would want. That's not the person he would want us to be. So, I focus my mind and bottle up those feelings. Keeping the hidden until the right time to release them.

"....ex."

"Alex...."

"Alexi!" A worried voice pulls me from my disjointed thoughts. My eyes opened to find Devon standing in front of me, holding my shoulders. A bit of fear and a mountain of concerns coating his kind face.

"Please talk to me?" He begs again before sighing and wrapping me in a tight embrace. His once comforting scent is now only a reminder of those bottled feelings.

"Alexi. Sweetie, please come inside. You've been out here all night." My mother's worried voice filling my ears as she walks up behind me. Running her hands through my hair. Something that was once so soothing only makes me feel more numb. "We're going to visit Callum. Come with us."

Her words reminded me of the injured warlock. The man who was supposed to protect him. To protect my mate. But he was stabbed in the back by my own pack members. Betrayed by those whom I swore to protect. The images of their mangled corpses are still fresh in my mind.

I sigh and pull myself away from them. Realizing that sitting here and sulking will do me no good. It won't help me find him. It won't solve any of my problems.

It won't bring him back to me.

"Alright. Give me a moment." I ask, receiving a nod as they walk back towards the house. Giving me these last few moments alone. I look around at the snowy peaks and frozen waterways. Breathing in the calm winter air and gentle forest scent.

Again, it does little to calm me.

I shake my head as I turn and start walking towards the house. Focusing inwards as I call out to my wolf.

Xander?

Of course, I get no response. Only an overwhelming anger waiting to explode.

Xander?

I try one more time. And again, he ignores me. It's been this way since we shifted back. I press against our once strong bond and get nothing back. Whatever they did has him hidden from us.

It's what I'm assuming caused the forced shifting. Some type of magic. But it was enough to separate us long enough for them to escape.

I shake my head and try not to dwell on. Opening the door and entering the room. Avoiding the eyes of our family and friends. I get it. No one knows what to say, and I don't either.

"Is everyone ready?" My mother asks as those who are joining us stand up. While the others stay behind. I stay off to the side as my friends surround me. Earning themselves an annoyed look.

"I don't want to talk right now." I remind them. Devon and Louis nod, but Jimmy frowns at me. His mate gives him a sad look as he keeps ahold of his hand.

"Alexi. You're going to snap if you don't talk to us. We can all feel it." His unusually wise words earn him a raised eyebrow as I look him over. Not really wanting to talk, but realizing I've been surrounded.